Dr Norman Hamilton: Christians do not understand or know the Bible as they used to

The move to on-line shopping means that the current edition of what was called the ‘Book of Dreams’ will be the last of its 48 annual editions. Over the years, it stimulated millions of ‘wish lists’ for Christmas presents, and the comedian Alan Carr famously picked it as his book choice on Radio 4’s programme Desert Island Discs.

The catalogue was first launched in 1972 and at its peak was Europe’s most widely-printed publication, with only the Bible in more homes across the UK. Nonetheless, that tended to be left sitting on the shelf while every page of the catalogue was carefully explored.

As recently as 2017, Premier Christian radio in the UK put these words on the front cover of its monthly magazine “The world’s most published, revolutionary, influential, controversial, burned, used, abused, divine, debated, inspiring and best selling book isn’t being read by Christians,

Why not? Two recent studies suggest that Biblical literacy has been decreasing for decades. Christians do not know or understand the Bible as well as they used to. The reasons are many and complex, but it seems obvious that, unless ordinary Christians start to recover both the capacity and the desire to read the Bible for all it is worth, this sad trend will not be reversed.

I suggest that a key reason for the falling off in Bible reading is that doing it is both a discipline in itself, and that it calls for careful thought and a genuine openness to actually respond to what we read. None of this has much appeal in a society where almost everything is served up to us ready for instant consumption.

This morning’s news headlines will be replaced with new ones this evening. Twitter and Facebook encourage immediate response to what has just happened. Ready meals are in abundance in the supermarket - and many can be eaten after just four minutes in the microwave.

Time is short, and pre-packed convenience is everything. Of course, there are considerable advantages to a better use of our limited time each day. But when time is not given to what is important for the health of our souls, then the quality of life really is diminished. As Jesus said (quoting the Old Testament): “Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.”

The Argos catalogue helped meet the wishes and needs of many millions of people over the years. The Bible, however, has met the earthly and eternal needs of many more millions over the centuries.

It is so important to remember that when time spent on internet shopping or squeezing ever more into the average day is at the expense of getting to know God personally, and exploring his perspective on life and eternity, then other words of Jesus are very pertinent... What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?